The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-10-27
Elihu B. Washburne Dead.
The Former Secretary Of State and
Minister to France Breathes
His Last in Chicago.
Review of Notable and Honorable
Career Of the Distinguished
Statesman and Diplomat.

at his heart. and in IL few minutes expired.
The deceased had apparently so completely
recovered from his late illness that his sons
and daughters had returend to their homes,
it being he general feeling that he was in bet
ter health than any time since Mrs Wash
burne's death, and his death was a COM
plate surprise to his family and friends.
The Washburne family came from the
best of Rev dictionary and Puritan stock,
their ancestor John Washburne being the
first secretary OF the Council OF Ply mouth.
The father OF Elihu Is. Washburne and six
brothers was native OF Massachusetts
and resident OF Maine, in which latter
state hs family was reared. The father,
Israel Washburne, was farmer and store
keeper at Livermore, Oxford county,
District OF Maine" where Elihu was
born in September, 1916. There
were seven sons, most OF whom
have attained distinction in political, mil
itary and civil life. The best known OF
these are Israel Washburne, IL member OF
congress from Maine and governor OF that
state: Caldwallader {. Washburne, Il mem-
Der OF congress from Wisconsin, a major
general i'll the army and governor OF Wis
consin; and Gen. William d. Washburne,
an ex member OF congress from Minnesota,
a soldier in tie war, and at present a
prominent miller and railroad magnate OF
Minneapolis. Ofthe seven brothers, Sidney,
Israel and Cadwailader have been dead
some time. The first step taken on his own
account by Eiihu Washburne, after helping
his father in the store for several years,
was to secure the position OF printers
devil in the office OF the Christian lntelli-
gencer at Gardner, Me-, where he passed a
year. He aiterward obtained q better
position in the office OF the kennebec
Journal, the leading Wing organ OF the
district, and it was during this early news
paper experiences that lie imbibed much OF
his political faith and convictions. In
1886 Mr.. Washburne, then a young
man of twenty, began the study OF law,
entering the office of Hon j John Otis, dis.
tinguished lawyer and mem Der OF congress,
residing at Hallowell, an "aristocratic"
town in the Maine district. During this
time Mr.. Washburne took up the study OF
the languages, and applied himself diligent-
ly to his self-education. Judge Otis was
greatly impressed with the faithfulness and
ambitious character OF his law clerk, and
assisted him in various ways, advancing
the money to pay for his attendance at
the Cambridge Law school, where Mr..
Washburne entered in $50. In the spring
of 1910 Mr.. Washburne started for
the West, and settled at Galena, III.
He entered with zest into the Har-
rison campaign OF that fall,
and came to the front prominently
as Il Wing speaker. This active par
ticpatiou in the politics OF that day
earned him good reputation and brought
him considerable practice as a lawyer. In
1914 lie was a delegate to the Wing nation,
al convention at Baltimore, assisting in
the nomination OF Henry Clay.
Mr.. Washburne was leading advocate
OF the old Galena d Chicago Union road,
one OF the pioneer stems OF the great North
western system, the first tep miles OF which
were built in 1913. During this same year
he was a candida tie for congress, but was
defeated by Col. Baker. By the aid OF the
FreeSolers Mr.. Washburne succeeded four
years later in defeating Thompson
Campbell the Democratic candidate,
by majority OF 2S6. Mr.. Washburne
was re- elected term after term, carrying
the district or going along with it into the
make Of the new Republican party just
previous to the war. The first reelection
was the result OF d union movement cul-
minating in "Republican' coalition,
which gavc Mr.. Washburne a majority OF
5000. The majority secured in 1860 at
the time OF his third reelection, was 49,
511, the largest majority given any
floor OF the house, and in the i'm
portant charmanships held by him
notably OF the committees on appro-
priatons and commercials. Washburne
achieved deserved distinction and gained
an enviabie reputation for eminent abi!i
ty and strict integrity, He vas regarded
as perhaps the nearest friend OF President
Lincoln. During the civil war Mr.. Wash,
burne was enabled TO bestow a great ia
vor on Gen. Grant for whom he enter
tanned a strong liking. This favor consist
ed OF the presidents commission OF senior
brigader general from Illinois. This act
OF friendship was followed up later
by Mr.. Washburne's efforts in Sc
curing the legislation making Grant
first lieutenant general and after
ward general OF the armies. Mr..
Washburne was prominent in the impeach-
nent proceedings against Andrew John
son, and was Unidentified with all the i'm
portant legislation OF period covering
nerous railroad subsidies and especially
the Pacific railroad legislation changing
the government lien from first to second
mortgages. When Gen. Grant became
president he appointed Mr.. Washburne
secretary OF state. But his health failing
him shortly afterward, Mr.. Washburne
was forced to resign early in 1869. He
was then made minister to France,
On the breaking out of the war between
France and Prussia Minister Washburne
came into Immediate prominence, and
found himself called on to perform the
most exactng and laborious duties, as
well as some OF the NEST delicate known
to foreign Diplomacy. The archives OF the
German embassy were turned over to
Minister Washburne, and the latter's ser.
vices were requested as a matter ofnation-
al hospitality in securing the safe trans
portation through the French lines OF the
80, 600 German residents of Paris, who de-
sired to return to their native country
on the breaking out ofhostilities, i'll accord
ance with the terms OF international
comfy. This required the utmost tact
and rare abilities as a diplomat, preserv-
ing friendly relations with France while
performing this gracious service to Ger.
many. Mr.. Washburne succeeded most
admirably. The American legation be.
came the common resort Of the oppressed
of all nations. and to all Minister Wash
burne extended every possible assistance.
During the terrors OF the commune Mr.
Washburne was tho only foreign min
lister who remained in Paris. For
his distinguished and heroic services
during the siege OF Paris Mr..
Washburne has received the thanks
OF thousands among the German people
and other nationalities, and been warmly
complimented by the governments Of
several nations. Emperor William con.
ferred upon him the Order Of the Red
Eagle, one OF the highest in the
gift OF the German crown. and wrote
him personal letter expressing his graf
itude and esteem. sending with it ieweled
star OF great value and an oil painting of
himself. Saxony, Portugal, Mexico and a
number OF other European and South
American principalities were also prompt
in makirg their acknowledgements OF
services performed in behalf of their
subjects. Mr.. Washburne returned to
this country after q residence OF nearly
nine years in Paris. His life after that
time was quiet and retired for the most
part and largely passed i'll his own library
among his books, manuscripts, paintings
and cngravings. His name has been men.
toned in connection with the presidency
more than once, and in 1880 he was can.
didate before the convention which nomi.
mated Garfield. Since his return to this
country. in 1877, Mr.. Washburne lived in
Chicago. His wife died in March Last. His
eldest son, Gratiot, who was located in
New York, died in December last, and the
rest OF the family who arc still living q re
as follows: Hampstead Washburne citv
attorney OF Chicago; Marie, now Mrs. A. Fl
Fowler, OF Denver; Susie, now Mrs. W. D.